Famous Celebrity Apologies

Donald Sterling

Real estate and sports moneyman Donald Sterling is sorry for the racist remarks he made to his girlfriend over the contents of her Instagram account.

The owner of the Los Angeles Clippers apparently did not like the pictures V. Stiviano has posted to her Instagram account. Sterling said on the recording he could not understand why she was "broadcast[ing]" her "association with black people" and told her not to bring her friend Magic Johnson to any Clippers games.

Since the recording landed in the hands of celebrity tabloid TMZ, Sterling has been banned from the NBA, fined $2.5 million dollars, and is the subject of efforts to force the Clippers owner to sell his franchise.

But in a recent interview, Sterling expressed remorse over his words, and asked for absolution.

I'm a good member who made a mistake and I'm apologizing and asking for forgiveness," Sterling told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "Am I entitled to one mistake after 35 years? I love my league… it's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again."

Sterling complained of his emotional state over the whole ordeal in the same interview. "I'm so emotionally distraught," he said. "The reason it's hard for me—very hard for me—is that I'm wrong. I caused the problem. I don't know how to correct it.

And so it goes with celebrity apologies. Some are sincerely tendered with much attendant tear-streaked hyperventilation, while others drip with such unambiguous, tar-thick contempt that they actually make matters worse. Indeed, celebrity apologies are like snowflakes—no two are alike. But they all make for fascinating, compelling viewing.

Read ahead to see 10 other examples of memorable apologies from politicians, athletes, actors and more.

By Daniel Bukszpan Originally posted 16 Jan. 2013 and updated 12 May 2014.